Mattress with handles

ABSTRACT

A mattress comprising a substantially rectangular multilayer core of foam material enclosed within a fabric mattress cover having at least one handle attached thereto wherein the fabric mattress cover proximate the handle is secured to the substantially rectangular multilayer core of foam by an anchor or attachment member affixed to the fabric mattress cover and secured between adjacent layers of foam material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A foam mattress having handles integrally attached to each side thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Whether constructed from foam or spring assembly mattresses are enclosed with a fabric cover generally having handles sewn to the fabric or attached to the spring assembly to enable the mattress to be conveniently lifted, moved and turned.

When mattress handles are only attached to the fabric cover, the fabric tends to stretch, deform or may be torn or detached.

Therefore, there exists a need for a simple and inexpensive mattress handle construction which enables the handle to be more securely connected with the mattress so that the fabric will not be damaged and the handle will not become detached even over an extended period of use. The mattress handle construction of the present invention meets this need.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,054 describes a mattress having a handle that wraps around each corner and attached to intersecting sides or walls. An elastic cord is attached to the two ends of the handle. A gripper plate is attached to a plastic cord for securing a sheet or blanket to the mattress.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,463 shows a mattress handle having medial grasping portion and two opposite end attachment portions attached to the mattress wall at each attachment portion by stitching.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,730 describes a mattress having a core material consisting of rigid foam material of a sufficient thickness, protective plates disposed on both upper and lower sides of the core material and a surface layer material made of a cushioning material which is disposed on the protective plates. At least one of the surface layer materials is formed by disposing the second cushioning layer consisting of semi-rigid cushioning material having an up-and-down face on a surface on the first cushioning layer made of flexible cushioning material.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,027,967 teaches a safety net for cushioning the fall of people comprising a resilient pad including two layers of foam rubber, a sheet of metallic webbing sandwiched between the layers, a flexible fireproof cover enclosing the pad, a plurality of spaced handles secured to the cover around its periphery, a ring composed of light metal connected to the bottom of the cover adjacent its edge.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,267 relates to a pillow constructed by superimposing the three (3) panels and the ticking-wrapped bead then securing the pieces together by the stitch to leave an unsewn portion along part of one transverse side of the pillow bag assembly. The bead is suggestive of a handle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,298 shows a mattress comprising a top pad formed of two layers of relatively soft foamed plastic between which a load-distributing mesh sheet. The tape pad includes a handle assembly including a top extending from side to side between the layers having loop like handles on each side of the mattress.

Additional examples of the prior art are found in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 1,941,786; U.S. Pat. No. 2,222,782; U.S. Pat. No. 2,859,455; U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,928; U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,274; U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,152; U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,811; U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,220; U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,436; U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,810; U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,349; U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,286; U.S. Pat. No. 8,037,562; U.S. Pat. No. D659,459 and U.S. Pat. No. D649,387.

While some of the prior art may contain some similarities relating to the present invention, none of them teach, suggest or include all of the advantages and unique features of the invention disclosed hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mattress comprising a multilayer core of foam material enclosed within a fabric mattress cover having at least one handle attached to the fabric mattress cover.

The multilayer core of foam material comprises an upper sheet or a block of foam material including a top surface and a bottom surface and a lower sheet or block of foam material including a top surface and a bottom surface.

The fabric mattress cover comprises a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion and a peripheral border including a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls

The handle comprises a strap or handle member affixed to corresponding side wall by an attachment element attached to each end of the strap or handle member.

Since the handle is attached to the fabric material of the corresponding side wall, the fabric material will tend to pull away or separate from the sides of the upper sheet or block of foam material and the sides of the lower sheet or block of foam material when a pulling or lifting force is exerted on the handle.

Accordingly, the mattress further includes a side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member to reduce or eliminate the separation between the fabric material of the side walls and the corresponding sides of the upper sheet or block of foam material and the lower sheet or block of foam. Each side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member comprises a strip of material having the outer end portion affixed to the fabric material adjacent the handle and a major inner portion glued or otherwise permanently secured or sandwiched between the lower surface of the upper sheet or block of foam material and the upper, surface of the lower sheet or block of foam material.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the mattress of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mattress of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the mattress of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the mattress of the present invention with an alternate embodiment of the handle.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the mattress of the present invention with an alternate embodiment of the side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the mattress of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional end view of the alternative embodiment of the mattress of the present invention shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a detailed front view of another alternative embodiment of the handle of the mattress of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed partial cross-sectional end view of the side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member of the mattress of the present invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention relates to a mattress generally indicated as 10 comprising a substantially rectangular multilayer core of foam material generally indicated as 12 enclosed within a fabric mattress cover generally indicated as 14 having at least one handle generally indicated as 16 attached the fabric mattress cover 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the substantially rectangular multilayer core of foam material 12 comprises an upper sheet or a block of foam material 18 including a top surface 20 and a bottom surface 22 and a lower sheet or block of foam material 24 including a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the lower sheet or block of foam material 24 are snuggly disposed within the fabric mattress cover 14. The fabric mattress cover 14 comprises a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion indicated as 30 and 32 respectively and a peripheral border including a pair of side walls each indicated as 34 and a pair of end walls each indicated as 36. The fabric mattress cover 14 may comprise a single panel of fabric with a peripheral tape or decorative edge 38 formed about the peripheral border thereof. Alternately, the fabric material cover 14 may include a zipper bottom cover portion 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, each handle 16 comprises a strap or handle member 40 affixed to a corresponding side wall 34 by an attachment element 42 attached to each end of the strap or handle member 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the strap or handle member 40 is horizontally disposed adjacent the interface between the bottom surface 22 of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the top surface 26 of the lower sheet or block of foam material 24.

Alternately, the strap or handle member 40 can be substantially vertically disposed and substantially perpendicular to and across the interface between the bottom surface 22 of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the top surface 26 of the lower sheet or block of foam material 24 as shown in FIG. 4.

Since each handle 16 is attached to the fabric material of the corresponding side wall 34, the fabric material will tend to pull away or separate from the sides of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the sides of the lower sheet or block of foam material 20 when a pulling or lifting force is exerted on the corresponding handle 16.

Accordingly, the mattress 10 of the present invention further includes a side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member generally indicated as 44 for each handle 16 to reduce or eliminate the separation between the fabric material of the side walls 34 and the corresponding sides of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the lower sheet or block of foam as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9.

Each side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member 44 comprises a strip of material 46 having the outer end portion 48 affixed to the peripheral tape or decorative edge 38 or the fabric material adjacent the corresponding handle 16 and a major inner portion 50 glued or otherwise permanently secured or sandwiched between the lower surface 22 of the upper sheet- or block of foam material 18 and the upper surface 26 of the lower sheet or block of foam material 24. As shown in FIG. 9, the outer end portion 48 of the strip of material 46 is stitched, tacked or otherwise attached to the side walls 34 as at 51.

The major inner portion 50 of the anchor or attachment member 44 is substantially parallel to the strap or handle element 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment elements 42 may be disposed on opposite sides of each anchor or attachment member 44 to distribute the force equally to the side walls 34 of the peripheral border above and below the anchor and attachment members 44.

The upper sheet or block of foam material 18, strip of material 46 and lower sheet or block of foam material 24 are shown spaced apart for illustration and explanation only. When assembled, the lower surface 22 of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the upper surface 26 of the lower sheet or block of foam material 24 firmly engage each other to form the interface therebetween.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member 44. Specifically, the side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member 44 extends around the entire periphery of the mattress 10. Otherwise, the alternate embodiment is virtually the same as the mattress 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an alternate embodiment of the substantially rectangular multilayer core of foam material 12. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mattress generally indicated as 10 comprising a substantially rectangular multilayer core of foam material generally indicated as 12 enclosed within a fabric mattress cover generally indicated as 14 having at least one handle generally indicated as 16 attached the fabric mattress cover 14.

As shown in FIG. 7, the substantially rectangular multilayer core of foam material 12 comprises an upper sheet or a block of foam material 18 including a top surface 20 and a bottom surface 22, an intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 including a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 23 and a lower sheet or block of foam material 24 including a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 28.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper sheet or block of foam material 18, the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19, and the lower sheet or block of foam material 24 are snuggly disposed within the fabric mattress cover 14. The fabric mattress cover 14 comprises a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion indicated as 30 and 32 respectively and a peripheral border including a pair of side walls each indicated as 34 and a pair of end walls each indicated as 36. The fabric mattress cover 14 may comprise a single panel of fabric with a peripheral tape or decorative edge 38 formed about the peripheral border thereof. Alternately, the fabric material cover 14 may include a zipper bottom cover portion 32.

As shown in FIG. 6, each handle 16 comprises a strap or handle member 40 affixed to a corresponding side wall 34 by an attachment element 42 attached to each end of the strap or handle member 40. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a strap or handle member 40 is horizontally disposed between and adjacent the interface between the bottom surface 22 of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the top surface 21 of the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19, and the interface between the bottom surface 23 of the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 and the upper surface 26 of the lower sheet or block of foam material 24.

Since each handle 16 is attached to the fabric material of the corresponding side wall 34, the fabric material will tend to pull away or separate from the sides of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18, the sides of the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 and the sides of the lower sheet or block of foam material 20 when a pulling or lifting force is exerted on the corresponding handle 16.

Accordingly, the mattress 10 of the present invention further includes a side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member generally indicated as 44 for each handle 16 to reduce or eliminate the separation between the fabric material of the side walls 34 and the corresponding sides of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18, the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 and the lower sheet or block of foam as shown in FIG. 7.

Each side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member 44 comprises a strip of material 46 having the outer end portion 48 affixed to-the peripheral tape edge 38 or fabric material adjacent the corresponding handle 16 and a major inner portion 50 glued or otherwise permanently secured or sandwiched between the lower surface 22 of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the upper surface 21 of the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 or between the lower surface 23 of the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 and the upper surface 26 of the lower sheet or block of foam material 24. As shown in FIG. 9, the outer end portion 48 of the strip of material 46 is stitched, tacked or otherwise attached to the side walls 34 as at 51.

The major inner portion 50 of the anchor or attachment member 44 is substantially parallel to the strap or handle element 40 of FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the handle 16 and the attachment elements 42 are disposed between the interface between the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19, and the interface between the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 and the lower sheet or block of foam material 24 to distribute the force equally to the side walls 34 of the peripheral border.

The upper sheet or block of foam material 18, intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19, and lower sheet or block of foam material 24 and the strip of material 46 are shown spaced apart for illustration and explanation only. When assembled, the lower surface 22 of the upper sheet or block of foam material 18 and the upper surface 21 of the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 and the lower surface 23 of the intermediate sheet or block of foam material 19 and the upper surface 26 of the lower sheet or block of foam material 24 firmly engage each other to form the interfaces therebetween.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the handle 16 wherein the strap 40 and the attachment elements 42 are disposed substantially in the same horizontal plane as the corresponding side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member 44.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, 

1.-3. (canceled)
 4. The mattress of claim 19 wherein said strap or handle member is horizontally disposed adjacent the interface between said bottom surface of said upper sheet or block of foam material and said top surface of said lower sheet or block of foam material.
 5. The mattress of claim 19 wherein said strap or handle member is substantially vertically disposed and substantially perpendicular to and across the interface between said bottom surface of said upper sheet or block of foam material and said top surface of said lower sheet or block of foam material.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The mattress of claim 19 wherein said peripheral border anchor or attachment member extends around the entire periphery of said mattress.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (cancelled)
 11. The mattress of claim 19 wherein said strap or handle member is horizontally disposed between and adjacent the interface between said bottom surface of said upper sheet or block of foam material and said top surface of said intermediate sheet or block of foam material, and the interface between said bottom surface of said intermediate sheet or block of foam material and said upper surface of said lower sheet or block of foam material.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. The mattress of claim 19 wherein said handle is disposed between the interface between said upper sheet or block of foam material and said intermediate sheet or block of foam material and the interface between said intermediate sheet or block of foam material and said lower sheet or block of foam material to distribute the force equally to the side walls of said peripheral border.
 15. The mattress of claim 19 wherein said strap and said attachment elements are disposed substantially in the same horizontal plane as said side wall or peripheral border anchor or attachment member 16.-18. (canceled)
 19. A mattress comprising a multilayer core of foam material including an upper sheet of foam material and a lower sheet of foam material enclosed within a fabric mattress cover having at least one handle attached to each side thereof wherein said fabric mattress cover proximate each said handle is secured to said multilayer core of foam material by a corresponding anchor or attachment member affixed to said fabric mattress cover independent of said corresponding handle and secured between said upper sheet of foam material and said lower sheet of foam material to reduce or eliminate the separation between side walls of said fabric mattress cover from the corresponding sides of said upper sheet of foam material and said lower sheet of foam material, said upper sheet of foam material including a top surface and a bottom surface and said lower sheet of foam material including a top surface and a bottom surface and said fabric mattress cover comprises a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion and a peripheral border including a pair of side walls and a pair end walls, each said handle comprises a strap or handle member affixed to said sidewalls of said fabric mattress cover by a corresponding attachment element attached to each end of said strap or handle member, and each said anchor or attachment member comprises a strip of material having the outer end portion affixed to said fabric mattress cover adjacent the corresponding handle and a major inner portion extending across only a portion of said multilayer core of foam adjacent said corresponding side wall permanently secured between said lower surface of said upper sheet of foam material and said upper surface of said lower sheet of foam material. 